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The scene of the shooting in May 1998. Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
ronan mcloughlin

Commission of Investigation into 1998 garda shooting of dissident

28-year-old Ronan McLoughlin was part of a gang that attempted to rob a Securicor van in Ashford on a day gardai were engaged in a “blue flu” action.

THE MINISTER FOR Justice has formally ordered the establishment of a Commission of Investigation into the shooting dead of a dissident republican during a botched raid in 16 years ago.

28-year-old Ronan McLoughlin, from Dublin, was part of a gang that attempted to rob a Securicor van in Ashford, Co Wicklow in May 1998.

The Government decided to set up a Commission to investigate his killing after McLoughlin’s partner brought a case to the European Court of Human Rights in relation to the original investigation.

An inquest held in 2009 recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.

The raid took place on a day when the majority of the garda force were engaged in a “blue flu” strike action.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald brought the order to set up the new probe to Cabinet today, as ministers met for the final time before the start of the summer recess.

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